Cooper Rush is the hottest quarterback in the NFL right now. With a 4-0 overall mark as a starter and 3-0 record this year, he has single-handedly reshaped the narrative surrounding the Dallas Cowboys’ season.
While Rush’s success has been good news on most fronts, it has led to one uncomfortable topic of conversation: whether he should permanently replace Dak Prescott as starting quarterback.
Prescott fractured his thumb during the Cowboys’ season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but his return looms. And while he is undeniably still a fan favorite, many would rather he not mess with the team’s current chemistry.
Fans were quite outspoken on the topic over the weekend:
I’ve seen enough . Cooper rush needs to start over dak precott
— aaron (@_aarondiaz) October 2, 2022
Cooper Rush should continue to start when Dak gets back. Until the mojo is lost
— Rashad (@ThtOneGuyRashad) October 2, 2022
I would like cooper rush to start over Dak @dallascowboys
— Dusty (@DustinAllen174) October 2, 2022
I love Dak… but I think Cooper Rush deserves to start. Why change what’s working just because Dak heals?
— Ashly no E (@08_click) October 2, 2022
That said, at least one Cowboys star thinks all the talk is for naught. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence obviously hears the chatter, but he doesn’t put much stock into it.
“I say, ‘Calm down.’ I say, ‘Calm down.’ I know you’re happy for the football team but also understand this is still a business. So don’t get it twisted,” he told fans (per Jori Epstein of Yahoo! Sports) in regards to Rush replacing Prescott long-term.
What’s interesting about that is Lawrence describes the matter as a “business” decision as opposed to a quality of play decision. Prescott is on a four-year, $160 million deal. Rush is on a two-year, $2 million deal. Hence the “business” reference.
As far as play goes – Rush is on fire. Even in arguably his least impressive outing as a starter, this weekend’s match-up against Washington, he still recorded 223 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-27 passing.
Rush’s 30-yard completion to CeeDee Lamb in the fourth quarter was particularly impressive and consequential in sealing the game.
It will be interesting where the Cowboys go from here. Prescott is obviously a special talent, but the only thing he’s made headlines for over the last few months is his hot girlfriend.
Rush, meanwhile, has been putting in serious work on the field where it matters.
Saquon Barkley is playing at an MVP level on and off the field these days. https://t.co/7nfVbOK7jO
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 3, 2022
Moreover, Dallas has a tough next couple of games ahead. The Los Angeles Rams aren’t playing their best right now, but talent-wise the squad is formidable. The Philadelphia Eagles are the best team in the NFL at the moment.
Is throwing a rusty Prescott in against one of those two squad really a wise move?
Watch this space. How the Cowboys handle this quarterback controversy will ultimately have massive ramifications on where their year goes from here.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
